Women Forging a New Security: Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict

The third international gathering of the Nobel Women’s Initiative is entitled Women Forging a New Security: Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict. It brings together women peace activists and scholars from around the world. openDemocracy 5050 has been exploring the major themes of these biennial conferences since 2007 in articles written by participants and openDemocracy's own authors. This year Jessica Horn and Jenny Morgan are reporting for openDemocracy.

With thanks to our funders, The Barrow Cadbury Trust and the New Field Foundation.


Every act of violence is a choice

Jessica Horn 3 December 2012

“Sometimes we need to name the abnormal as abnormal, and take action to defend what is normal!” - Shereen Essof. Jessica Horn reports at the close of the Nobel Women's Initiative conference, 'Women Forging a New Security: ending sexual violence in conflict'

GenderForce: why didn't we do this before?

Charlotte Isaksson 29 November 2012

"As an 18 year old woman I wanted to join what I saw as the coolest and toughest force - not the Air Force, not the Navy, but the Army. I was the first woman to join, and arrived full of ideas of what life would be like as a woman in the army. Things were not as I had imagined at all...."

Child soldiers, child wives: wounded for life

Leymah Gbowee 26 November 2012

Working with ex-child soldiers of Charles Taylor's army, and the girls they have taken as wives, has convinced Nobel Peace laureate Leymah Gbowee that the abuse women suffer during conflict is a reflection of the interaction between men and women, boys and girls, during peace time.

Peace can be planned. Just like health

Scilla Elworthy 28 November 2011
"Violence can be prevented. This is not an article of faith, but a statement based on evidence" (WHO 2002). Scilla Elworthy calls for a strategy based on the clear evidence of what is working in scattered pockets around the world, with the creation of 'Infrastructures for Peace' at its core.

"Mighty be our powers": peaceful women and the global south

Nada Mustafa Ali 10 October 2011
“We have included the Arab Spring in this prize, but we have put it in a particular context. Namely, if one fails to include the women in the revolution and the new democracies, there will be no democracy.” Thorbjoern Jagland, chair of the Nobel Prize Committee

Peace of mind

Jenny Morgan 26 May 2011

If some of us had hoped to walk away with a global plan of action rather than a series of personal commitments stuck up on a board, well, we just may have forgotten that it's personal commitment that makes brave women stand up every day - Jenny Morgan reports from the closing session of the Nobel Women's Initiative conference

Rape in war: ending impunity

26 May 2011

Women Peace Laureates urge leaders to protect women in armed conflict, citing evidence from a new report.

Ken Clarke, Strauss-Kahn, Yale and SlutWalks: rape, consent and agency

Heather McRobie 26 May 2011

In recent weeks, one word has dominated the headlines: rape. The events worldwide have shown how rape remains in the bloodstream of our culture, while our language on the crime is distorting and debased

Landmines data. Rape data

Susannah Sirkin 26 May 2011

How many rapes are too many in war? Of course, one violent sexual attack on a woman is one too many. A single incident could be a war crime....

If this is 'peace', when does it start for women?

Jenny Morgan 26 May 2011

'The word "reconciliation" hurts me', Bakira Hasecic says. 'All I want is for those who have hurt me to be brought to justice.'

In touch with the world

25 May 2011

Afghan MP Shinkai Karokhail talks about the importance of women making international connections and sharing their experiences. (Video)

Not the Only Survivor in the Village

Betsy Kawamura 25 May 2011

Survivors of gender based violence and their supporters can deliver powerful messages for peace, reflects Betsy Kawamura.

The security sector: an awkward space for engagement

Jessica Horn 25 May 2011

Alongside powerful arguments against militarism, we are hearing an increasingly significant voice from within the security sector, including women in uniform, working on ways to improve the security sector’s own understanding and response to issues of women’s rights and security. Jessica Horn reports on the debates at the Nobel Women's Initiative conference.

Perpetuation and perpetration: the momentum of violence

Jocelyn Kelly 25 May 2011

So many armed men began their lives as victims of loss and grief. So many have gone on to become the source of bereavement for others. Trying to understand how soldiers make this transformation is crucial to understanding how violence is perpetrated in conflict. Jocelyn Kelly writes from the Nobel Women's Initiative conference

Peace negotiations:did you carry a gun?

Jenny Morgan 25 May 2011

'If sons are fighting, doesn't it make sense for their mother to help make peace?' Jenny Morgan reports on conversations at the Nobel Women's Initiative conference

Delegates at the conference, talking.
Photo:Judy Rand


Related articles

About 50.50



Readership
  • 107,000 people in 159 countries

Follow 50.50

5050 Facebook page 5050 Twitter page 5050 e-newsletter

50.50 Editor's pick

50.50 Podcasts

Download & Listen
Syndicate content